"Osondi, Owendi"That's all I can say right now. It's a phrase I learnt this morning, the chorus of a popular Nigerian south-south song that means "some will be celebrating and others will not". A sarcastic meaning meant only for those celebrating, but now...
It's funny how one person could attract so much criticism and controversy. It reminds me of a Bible passage: "to whom much is given, much is expected". Few people were willing to accept Michael Jackson for the good he did; rather they chose to re-count and number his crimes. Now, with all the rumors flying around (some of them made up by the Jackson team, no doubt, to shield him from the scathing eyes, venom and claws of strangers who really didn’t care), no one knows what really were the issues with him. Did he really have vitiligo? how many plastic surgeries did he have? did he really molest those boys? did he really have a ‘black-white’ complex? his father-did he really abuse him verbally, sexually and physically? I wasn’t there and neither were you. I don’t have the answers to these questions, but what I do know and everyone will attest to is: MICHAEL JACKSON IS THE GREATEST SINGER, ENTERTAINER EVER!!! He is much more than just the King Of Pop.
Let the stats help you do the math:
- He debuted on the professional music scene at the age of 11 and till date, five of his solo studio albums are still some of the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995).
- Thriller has remained the biggest selling album of all time with reported sales of 109 million and a Recording Industry Association of America certification of 28 million units.
- He became one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.
- Other achievements include 13 Guinness World Records—including one for "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time"
- 19 Grammy Awards,
- 22 American Music Awards,
- 15 World Music Awards and the sale of over 750 million units worldwide.
- Michael Jackson also won numerous awards for his humanitarian endeavors, was honoured by two Presidents of the United States.
- He was also named as the artist of "the Decade", "Generation", "Century" and "Millennium" and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
Now, against what do we compare all these: “In 2005, Jackson was tried and acquitted of child sex abuse charges brought against him in 2003 following the Living with Michael Jackson TV interview. This was the second time allegations were brought against him, the first being in 1993. However, the first set of charges had been dropped following an out-of-court settlement between Jackson and the accusers”. = http://wikibin.org/articles/michael-jackson-controversies.html
Would anyone say there’s a reasonable comparison for criticizing the man? I say NOT. I do not approve of the wrongs that he did, but I’d be the last to condemn him for I am no better than he. Heck! Nobody knows us, much less our secrets and weaknesses. So who’d publish the story of the uncle who rapes his niece; or the father, his daughter? Who’d broadcast the scandals that seep out of our lives each day and expose the murder of last night? Who’d please, help us expose and brand these people for the world to see? But here’s frail ol’ “Wacko Jacko” whose life is conversation for all and sundry at every boring hang-out or stale dining room. In all the controversy surrounding his life, did one line of his lyrics ever mention his travails or victories? Did he ever tell you “don’t bring your girlfriends home ‘cause I’m a flirt”? did “Whacky-Jack” ever cuss his mama out or wish his father dead like li’l Em? But we endorse these people everyday, applauding them for being honest and forthright. I call it downright rude and cocky.
Finally, if you want to Osondi at his death, no one will stop you; but remember, none of us is without a flaw. And for those who are right now “Owendi”-ing, it will get better. Remember he left such a great legacy, it will outlive not just him, but even the youngest of us… I guess that’s what we should all be talking about… how to leave a lasting legacy and how to live life so that every moment counts because no one knows who’s next or when... and you gotta be sure where you're going. Michael Jackson, you left a mark and though 50yrs may seem short, may people achieve much less in a lifetime. You were favored, blessed and definitely loved by God.
Would anyone say there’s a reasonable comparison for criticizing the man? I say NOT. I do not approve of the wrongs that he did, but I’d be the last to condemn him for I am no better than he. Heck! Nobody knows us, much less our secrets and weaknesses. So who’d publish the story of the uncle who rapes his niece; or the father, his daughter? Who’d broadcast the scandals that seep out of our lives each day and expose the murder of last night? Who’d please, help us expose and brand these people for the world to see? But here’s frail ol’ “Wacko Jacko” whose life is conversation for all and sundry at every boring hang-out or stale dining room. In all the controversy surrounding his life, did one line of his lyrics ever mention his travails or victories? Did he ever tell you “don’t bring your girlfriends home ‘cause I’m a flirt”? did “Whacky-Jack” ever cuss his mama out or wish his father dead like li’l Em? But we endorse these people everyday, applauding them for being honest and forthright. I call it downright rude and cocky.
Finally, if you want to Osondi at his death, no one will stop you; but remember, none of us is without a flaw. And for those who are right now “Owendi”-ing, it will get better. Remember he left such a great legacy, it will outlive not just him, but even the youngest of us… I guess that’s what we should all be talking about… how to leave a lasting legacy and how to live life so that every moment counts because no one knows who’s next or when... and you gotta be sure where you're going. Michael Jackson, you left a mark and though 50yrs may seem short, may people achieve much less in a lifetime. You were favored, blessed and definitely loved by God.
Love,
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ReplyDeleteReally liked MJ despite his flaws. It's funny that nobody talks about the monies he has donated to children charities and the fact that he left 20%of his fortune to charities devoted to child care and wellfare all we here about is that he was charged for molesting lil'boys .....very sad.
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